HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.1 MCE Corporation Economic Evaluation and Comparative Analysisr
DUBLIN
CALIFORNIA
STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
Agenda Item 8.1
DATE: October 17, 2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Linda Smith, City Manager
SU B.ECT: MCE Corporation Economic Evaluation and Comparative Analysis
Prepared by: Jordan Foss, Management Analyst II
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will receive a report evaluating the City's costs over a five-year period for
maintenance services provided by MCE Corporation. In addition, the report will include a
comparative analysis relating to the maintenance services in neighboring jurisdictions of
Brentwood, Pleasanton, and San Ramon.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Receive the report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
DESCRIPTION:
Background
The City of Dublin has contracted with MCE Corporation for 39 years, with the first agreement
being executed on June 29, 1984 for annual street maintenance. Since then, services provided by
MCE have grown in line with the City's growth and now include maintenance of all City parks and
facilities. On July 1, 2017, the City and MCE entered into a five-year agreement for such services,
and a subsequent two-year amendment was initiated on July 1, 2022. The current amendment to
the agreement is set to expire on June 30, 2024 and the City Manager has the option to extend the
term an additional three years.
In preparation for the next extension, Staff conducted an assessment of MCE's services, which
included an economic evaluation as well as a comparison of services in neighboring cities.
Specifically, the evaluation looked at the following:
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• Current MCE responsibilities
• Subcontracted services
• Historical expenditures
• Maintenance requests
• Comparison with neighboring jurisdictions
This Staff Report presents the MCE review and includes a detailed list of services and
subcontractors by task (Attachment 1), and cost comparison with the cities of Pleasanton, San
Ramon, and Brentwood (Attachment 2).
MCE Evaluation
Summary
MCE provides maintenance services in the following six general categories: Streets, Parks,
Assessment Districts, Buildings, Special Events, and Administration. Within those service
categories, MCE utilizes 46 dedicated staff, two of which are administrative positions that assist
with overseeing the City's contract, and 44 of which are assigned to the field. In addition, MCE
utilizes additional support services or specialized expertise through subcontractors. Currently,
MCE utilizes 21 subcontractors, and collects a 13% administrative overhead from the City for
management of those contracts.
Table 1 shows the City's expenditures for MCE over the last five years. This reflects that the City's
largest expenditures are in Parks Maintenance (46% of total), Streets (23%), and Building
Maintenance (13%). Attachment 1 provides a detailed list of services and subcontractors by task.
Table 1. Actual Expenditures (Figures Rounded)
MCE
Service Category
Streets
Building
Parks
Events
Special Districts
Administration
Contingency
Subtotal
YoY Change
Change
FY 2018-
19
$1,232,929
$385,212
$1,588,292
$190,160
$100,815
$150,916
$80,610
$3, 728, 935
FY 2019-20
$1,197,952
$413,549
$1,465,784
$91,415
$76,568
$112,547
$93,225
$3,451,040
-$277,895
-7.5%
FY 2020-21
$1,256,307
$346,084
$1,744,098
$80,608
$76,225
$161,502
$343,101
$4, 007, 925
$556,885
16.1%
FY 2021-
22
$1,363,651
$539,121
$1,694,229
$271,920
$212,159
$148,495
$6,892
$4,236,466
$228,541
5.7%
FY 2022-23
$1,493,092
$602,028
$1,994,953
$321,346
$111,040
$223,575
$95,863
$4,841,897
$605,431
14.3%
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MCE Subcontractors (13% Administrative Overhead included)
Streets
Building
Parks
Events
$273,106
$316,432
$850,378
$125
$256,659
$221,622
$903,711
$0
$317,554
$241,260
$951,770
$838
$290,651
$516,787
$1,076,662
$14,000
$334,288
$457,209
$1,763,611
$15,450
Special Districts $154,632 $109,919 $141,553 $131,420 $154,999
Admin. Overhead $242,838 $235,319 $246,081 $288,770 $373,271
Contingency $203,277 $237,146 $155,532 $107,287 $145,756
Subtotal
$2,040,788
$1,964,376
$2,054,588
$2,425,577
$3,244,584
YoY Change
-$110,281
$171,826
$419,234
$780,538
% Change
-0.5%
8.7%
20.4%
32.2%
MCE and MCE Subcontractors Combined
Grand Total
$5,769,723
$5,415,416
$6,062,512
$6,662,044
$8,086,481
YoYChange
-$354,307
$647,096
$599,532
$1,424,437
% Subcontracted
35%
36%
34%
36%
40%
Administrative Charges Only
MCE Admin. $150,916 $112,547 $161,502 $148,495 $223,575
Subcontractor $242,838 $235,319 $246,081 $288,770 $373,271
Admin. Overhead
Total Admin. $393,755 $347,865 $407,583 $437,265 $596,846
Charges
% of Total Exp. 7% 6%
7%
7%
7%
On average, 37% of overall MCE expenditures over the last five years were for subcontracted
services. Within the Parks and Building Maintenance service categories in particular,
subcontractor costs are approaching those of MCE in-house services. In Fiscal Year 2022-23, 47%
of all park maintenance and 43% of all building maintenance work was completed by
subcontractors.
For parks maintenance, subcontractors are used for mowing, weeding, cricket pitch maintenance,
and annual field renovations at Fallon Sports Park, Emerald Glen Community Park, and Dublin
Sports Grounds. MCE provides direct maintenance of all neighborhood parks and Don Biddle
Community Park, which do not have the same mowing requirements of the other parks that are
rented for sports activities.
For City buildings, subcontractors primarily provide preventative maintenance on specialized
assets such as plumbing, HVAC, electrical, roofs, and doors. MCE has doubled their dedicated
building staff from two to four full -time -equivalent employees, which correlates to ongoing facility
needs and an increase in rental support. Other minor cost increases are associated with an
additional MCE administrative staff person, an increase in event support, and an increase in street
maintenance activities (including landscaping and street surface maintenance).
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Maintenance Requests
SeeClickFix (aka "Fix It Dublin") is an online tool that allows residents and internal customers to
report maintenance issues in the City and includes a robust tracking and reporting function.
According to available data for the past three fiscal years, maintenance requests have increased
79%, as shown in Table 2. Initial growth in requests in the first two years is attributed to the City
implementing SeeClickFix (May 2021) and publicizing the new service, as well as the opening of
new parks. The following fiscal year saw modest growth in requests, with internal requests
declining marginally.
1
(Total Requests
1
1
Table 2: Maintenance Request Trends
FY 2020-21 FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23
1,839
2,911
3,292
YoY % Change
58%
13%
External Requests
1,206
1,794 1 2,162
YoY % Change
49% 21%
Internal Requests
633 1,145 1,130
YoY % Change
81% -1%
Comparative Analysis
In addition to the economic review, Staff ran a comparative analysis against the maintenance
services provided by the cities of Brentwood, Pleasanton, and San Ramon. The analysis shows that
the City's per capita cost ($188 per resident) for maintenance services is nearly half that of the
cities of Pleasanton ($359 per resident) and San Ramon ($344 per resident). Brentwood, a city
with similar population (66,127) and land area (15 square miles), spends marginally more than
Dublin does on maintenance services. Similarly, Dublin spends less per parkland acre ($20,213
per acre) than Pleasanton ($26,977 per acre), San Ramon ($22,592 per acre), and Brentwood
($33,798 per acre) as displayed in Table 3 below.
Table 3. Comparative Analysis Summary
Dublin I Brentwood I Pleasanton*
I San Ramon
Population
Total Maintenance Budget
Cost Per Capita
Cost Per Parkland Acre
Personnel Costs
Contract Costs
67,734
$12,725,484
$188
$20,213
$562,767
$11,175,030
66,127
$17,860,542
$270
$33,798
$4,963,617
$7,220,858
76,689
$27,552,439
$359
$26,977
87,685
$30,171,291
$344
$22,592
$14,090,297
$8,357,297
*Pleasanton was excluded from Personnel and Contract cost comparison due to differences in operating models.
While the neighboring jurisdictions offer in-house maintenance services, contract services are still
heavily utilized. As an example, San Ramon had a Fiscal Year 2022-23 personnel budget of $14.1
million and a contract services budget of $8.4 million, and Brentwood had a Fiscal Year 2022-23
personnel budget of $5 million and a contract services budget of $7.2 million. These contract
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services include pest control, landscaping/mowing, generator maintenance, HVAC maintenance,
fire protection, weed abatement, janitorial services, carpet cleaning, catch basin cleaning, street
sweeping, intrusion monitoring, fountain maintenance, and other services as needed to handle
services not provided by City personnel.
Attachment 2 includes complete details on the comparative analysis.
Conclusion
MCE provides a one -stop, comprehensive maintenance service solution for the City. The primary
driver for the increases in MCE costs over the last five years is the addition of City assets, including
one new facility (the Public Safety Complex), four new parks (Sunrise Park, Clover Park, Butterfly
Knoll, and Don Biddle Community Park), Fallon Sports Park - Phase 3, and the Imagine
Playground at Dublin Sports Grounds. These new community assets have had a direct impact on
the increasing demands of MCE's services, and the specialized nature of some assets, like the
cricket pitch, have required MCE to expand its use and oversight of subcontractors and have
added to the City's total maintenance costs. Moreover, a focus on enhanced maintenance of
existing assets and the improved ability for residents to report issues directly have also
contributed to increases in the City's costs.
These costs will continue to escalate with the opening of the Dublin Cultural Arts Center, Iron
Horse Nature Park and Open Space, Wallis Ranch Community Park, and future parks in Eastern
Dublin. However, even with these anticipated costs, the City is spending less per acre ($20,213)
and per resident ($188) when compared to neighboring jurisdictions with a similar portfolio of
maintenance needs. Staff will continue to work with MCE in balancing the City's required
maintenance activities with its budgetary limits, in conjunction with the goal of keeping Dublin's
variety of parks and facilities in excellent condition.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
None.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
The City Council Agenda was posted.
ATTACHMENTS:
1) MCE Maintenance Services and Subcontractors by Task List
2) Fiscal Year 2022-23 Comparative Analysis
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Attachment I
MCE Maintenance Services
Task
Task Description
Streets
Street Maintenance
Drainage
Maintenance
Storm Patrol
Sidewalks, Curbs &
Gutters
Sign Maintenance
Striping & Marking
Guardrail Repair
Spill Cleanup
Street Tree
Maintenance
Street Landscape
Maintenance
Additional Work
Pothole patching, crack filling, asphalt pavement maintenance.
Flushing storm drains, catch basin inspection and cleaning, cleaning
concrete v-ditches, stream channel clearing.
Inspection and cleaning of catch basins, culverts, gutters, ditches, and
streams during storms.
Temporary ramping of tripping hazards.
Installation, removal, repair, and replacement of signage, posts and
other sign mounting equipment.
Limited re -striping or re -marking of existing striping, limited painting,
or re -painting of curbs.
Straighten, replace, or repair damaged guardrails and posts.
Control and clean-up or assistance with clean-up of material on or near
streets.
Trimming, pruning, fertilizing, spraying, removal, and replacement of
City owned trees.
Maintenance of street median landscape including turf, bedding
plants, shrubs, irrigations systems, and rodent control.
Other work performed at the written request of the City.
Parks
Park Maintenance
Sign Maintenance
Storm Patrol
Quarterly Assurance
Inspections
Weed Abatement
Spill Cleanup
Bike Path
Maintenance
Additional Work
Maintenance of park landscape including turf, bedding, plans, trees,
shrubs, irrigation systems, hardscapes, and rodent control.
Installation, removal, repair, and replacement of signage, posts and
other sign mounting equipment.
Inspection and cleaning of catch basins, culverts, gutters, ditches, and
streams during storms.
Completion of quarterly quality assurance inspections.
Removing weeds and vegetation in various areas.
Control and clean-up or assistance with clean-up of material on or near
streets.
All maintenance including cleaning striping and marking surface
maintenance, etc. to maintain a bike path that is not adjacent to vehicle
lanes.
Other work performed at the written request of the City.
Building Maintenance
Building
Maintenance
Building Grounds
Maintenance of various City -owned buildings and facilities.
Maintenance of building landscape including turf, bedding plants,
trees, shrubs, irrigation systems, hardscapes, and rodent control.
6
Body Fluid Spills
Quality Assurance
Additional Work
Clean-up of body fluid.
Completion of quarterly quality assurance inspections.
Other work performed at the written request of the City.
Assessment Districts
Tree Maintenance
Landscape
Maintenance
Storm Patrol
Weed Abatement
Sign Maintenance
Spill Cleanup
Quality Assurance
Additional Work
Maintenance of Assessment District trees including trimming, pruning,
fertilizing, spraying, and removal of trees.
Maintenance of Assessment District median and other landscapes
areas including turn, bedding plans, shrubs, irrigation systems, and
rodent control.
Inspection and cleaning of catch basins, culverts, gutters, ditches, and
streams during storms.
Removing weeds and vegetation in various areas.
Installation, removal, repair, and replacement of signage, posts and
other sign mounting equipment.
Control and clean-up or assistance with clean-up of material on or near
streets.
Completion of quarterly quality assurance inspections.
Other work performed at the written request of the City.
Special Events
Community
Promotions
Additional Work
Assistance in provision of community events such as parades, holiday
events, festivals, etc.
Other work performed at the written request of the City.
Administration
Maintenance
Supervision
Additional Work
Managing maintenance operations.
Other work performed at the written request of the City.
7
Subcontractors by Task
Drainage Maintenance
Roto Rooter
Plumbing repairs and clean out.
Sign Maintenance
The Construction Zone
Sign and Safety Equipment
Guardrail Repair
Calco
On call fence and guardrail work.
Weed Abatement
Del Conte Landscaping
RJN Inc.
Weed control of bedding areas at all landscapes.
Fire abatement discing and mowing.
Street Tree Maintenance
Del Conte Landscaping
West Coast Arborists
Weed control of bedding areas at all landscapes.
Tree pruning and tree removal.
Assessment District Maintenance
Del Conte Landscaping Monthly shrub pruning and site work.
West Coast Arborists Tree pruning and tree removal.
Western Exterminator (Stagecoach Rodent and pest control.
only)
Street Landscape Maintenance
Del Conte Landscaping
Western Exterminator
Weed control of bedding areas at all landscapes.
Rodent and pest control.
Park Maintenance
4 Paws Goose Control Control of geese at Dublin Sports Grounds.
Calco On -call fence and guardrail work.
Del Conte Landscaping
(Frank and Grossman
(Professional Power washing
(RJN Inc.
West Coast Arborist
Western Exterminator
Mowing of large sports parks, weed control of bedding
areas at all landscapes, turf fertilization, and monthly
shrub pruning.
Fallon Sports Park cricket pitch maintenance.
Power washing services.
Fire abatement discing and mowing.
Tree pruning and tree removal.
Rodent and pest control.
Building Maintenance
Bay Air Mechanical
Baywide Glass
Calco
Comfort Dynamics
East Bay Pools
Frontier Pacific Doors
Gamble Construction
Preventive maintenance and repair of HVAC systems.
Glass repairs.
Fence and guardrail work.
Maintenance of Reliable Control Systems, HVAC.
Fountain and splash pad maintenance.
Door repairs.
General building repairs.
8
IRoto-Rooter Plumbing repairs and clean out.
(Savior Plumbing Plumbing repairs.
(Sierra Roofing Roof repairs.
ISilverado Valley Electric Electrical repairs.
(Vortex Doors Overhead door and general door repairs.
IWindology Window Treatments Window treatment repairs.
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Attachment 2
Fiscal Year 2022-23 Comparative Analysis
Dublin
Pleasanton'
San Ramon
Brentwood
City Characteristics
Land Area (square miles)
Street Miles2
Population
15
148
67,734
25
213
76,689
18
241
87,685
15
192
66,127
Total Maintenance Costs
Number of Maintenance Staff
Total Maintenance Budget'
Personnel
Contract Services
Other
(Equipment/Materials/internal
Transfers/Other services)
47
$12,725,484
$562,767
$11,175,030
$987,687
120
$27,552,439
81
$30,171,291
$14,090,872
$8,357,297
$7,723,122
43
$17,860,542
$4,963,617
$7,220,858
$5,676,0674
Maintenance Services Cost per Capita
Total Maintenance Budget
$12,725,484
$27,552,439
$30,171,291
$17,860,542
Cost Per Capita
$188
$359
$344
$270
Park Maintenance Cost Per Acre
Parkland Acreage (Total)
267
451
375
243
Parkland Maintenance
$5,396,890
$12,166,775
$8,471,952
$8,212,880
Expenditures
Cost per Parkland Acre
$20,213
$26,977
$22,592
$33,798
Park Maintenance Metrics
Number of Parks
28
46
58
68
Number of Community Parks5 7
Number of Neighborhood Parks6 21
Number of Aquatic Centers 1
9
37
1
6
52
2
9
57
1
1 Pleasanton was excluded from Total Maintenance Cost comparison due to differences in operating models.
2 Center line miles.
3 Data provided from City budget documents or directly from City Staff.
4 Does not include Internal Service Costs/Fund Transfers for Landscape and Lighting District services.
Defined as multi -activity parks designed for community -wide use.
6 Defined as parks that serve the population of the immediate neighborhood.
10
MCE Economic Evaluation
and Comparative Analysis
October 17,2023
!�t
DUBLIN
CALIFORNIA
11
Background
• June 1984 —Initial Contract with MCE
— Street Maintenance Only
• July 1,2017 —Most Recent Agreement
— Comprehensive Maintenance Services
• July I , 2022 — CurrentTwo-YearAmendment
— Expiring on June 30, 2024
— City Manager Option to Extend for Three More Years
MCE Evaluation
• MCE provides maintenance services in six general service
categories:
- Administration - Parks
- Assessment Districts - Special Events
- Buildings - Streets
• 46 dedicated staff
— 44 Field Staff
— 2 Administrative Staff
• 21 subcontractors within service categories
• 13% administrative fee for subcontract work
MCE Evaluation, 2
• The City's largest expenditures are in the following three
categories:
Parks Maintenance (46% of total expenditures)
Streets (23% of total expenditures)
Building Maintenance (13% of total expenditures)
• Fiscal Years 2018-19 through 2022-23 — 37% of the total expenditures
for subcontracted services
• Subcontractor expenditures are the highest in Parks (47%) and
Building Maintenance (43%)
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Maintenance Requests
• SeeClickFix (aka"Fix It Dublin") Maintenance Request Tool
• Maintenance requests increased 79% from FY20-21 to FY22-23
Total Requests
1,839
2,939
3,292
External Requests
(Initiated via public portal)
1,206
1,794
2,162
Internal Requests 633 1,145 1,130
(Initiated via staff portal)
15
Comparative Analysis
• Pleasanton, San Ramon, and Brentwood
• City Expenditures per resident ($188); per parkland acre ($20,2 13)
— Both less than neighboring cities
• Other jurisdictions utilize in-house maintenance services and also utilize
contract services.These contract services include:
— Generator and HVAC maintenance — Pest control
— Intrusion and fire monitoring — Weed abatement
Janitorial and carpet cleaning services — Street sweeping
— Landscaping services (including
mowing)
Conclusion
• Primary driver for increases over last five years:
— Four new City parks
— One Sports Park expansion
— One new Park facility
• Additional assets will increase future maintenance costs
• City will continue to spend less per resident and per acre than
neighboring jurisdictions
Questions?